Mail-bag catching and delivering apparatus.



PATENTED MAY 5, 1908. J. 0. DAYTON. MAIL BAG GAT'OHING A'ND DELIVERING APPAR ATU'S.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 190B.

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PATENTED MAY 5, 1908.

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PATBNTED MAY 5, 1908.

J. G. DAYTON. MAIL BAG CATGHING AND DELIVERING APPARAT APPLICATION FILED 23.26. 1908'.-

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JOHN G. DAYTON, OF FISHER, WEST VIRGINIA.

MAIL-BAG CATCHING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 5, 1908.

Application filed February 26, 1908. Serial No. 417,917.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. DAYTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fisher, in the county of Hardy, State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Catching and Delivering Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and ex act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention has reference to mail-bag catching ,and delivering apparatus employed for efiecting an automatic transfer of mail to and from a moving train, and it has for its primary object the production of an apparatus of that nature which is characterized by extreme simplicity and efliciency in its construction.

More especially, the invention aims to provide an apparatus of the characterspecified which, when in its inoperative position within the mail-car, will occupy the slightest possible space, so as to interfere in no way with the movements of the postal clerks, thus avoiding and overcoming a defect present in virtually all the existing types of such apparatus now in use.

The invention further aims to provide an apparatus of the above-mentioned type in which both the catching and delivering members form a part of the crane arm which is carried by the usual rotatable supporting bar, thus dispensing with the use of independent catching and delivering mechanisms, and, in consequence, reducing the num ber of separate parts, and the resultant cost of the apparatus, as a whole, to a minimum.

The invention still further resides in certain improvements in the construction of the bag-supporting members which are engaged initially with the delivering members of the car-carried mechanism and the station mechanism and are subsequently removed therefrom by the catching members of said mechanisms and engaged with the last-mentioned members.

The invention still further resides in the provision of a movable platform upon which, in its operative position, rests the mail-bag to be delivered to the station mechanism, and, subsequent to the transfer, the mail-b ag caught by the car-carried mechanism, said platform, in its inoperative position, lying flush against the inner wall of the car side, out of the way of the postal clerk.

The referred embodiment of the invention is i lustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding parts or features, as the case may be, are designated by the same reference numerals in the several views.

Of the said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of -the complete invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation, the car appearing in section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the car arm, the various positions assumed by the mail bag during its engagement with said arm being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the bag-supporting members. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section through one of the brackets in which the ends of the supporting bar are journaled, showing also the catch which engages with the corresponding end of the supporting bar. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmental section through the outer end of the crane-arm and through the sleeve por tion of the bag-supporting member. Fig. 7 is a fragmental view of the supporting bar and the collar carried thereby, the handle by means of which said bar is rotated being shown as disengaged from the collar.

In the following detailed description, reference will first be had to the mechanism which is carried by the mail-car 1 and which includes the more important features of the invention. This mechanism comprises primarily, a supporting bar 2, and a crane-arm 3, carried thereby, the connection between said bar and arm being effected by means of a collar 4 which is formed upon the inner end of the latter and is fitted upon said bar, being secured thereto in any preferred manner. The ends of the supporting bar are journaled in brackets secured to the side walls of the usual Window 5 cut in the side of the mailcar, each bracket consisting as shown in Fig. 5, of a base plate 6 and an integral bearing sleeve 7, which receives the adjacent reduced end 8 of the bar. The bar is rotated by means of a handle 9, whose inner end is frictionally engaged in a socket 10 formed in the collar 4.

At its outer end the crane-arm is provided with a pair of diametrically-opposite laterally-projecting members 11 each of which is conical in shape, the base of each member having a slightly reduced diameter, this construction resulting in the production at such point of a circumscribing shoulder 12. Each shoulder is, in turn, provided with a finger 13, the fingers being located directly opposite each other. Towards its inner end the crane-arm is bent upon itself to form a downwardly-extending bag-receiving seat 14.

During its outward and upward movement into operative position, the crane-arm travels through an arc of approximately 90 and is retained in such position by means of a catch 15 which is carried by one or the other of the bar-supporting brackets (in the present instance, the left-hand bracket) and is movable endwise through a perforated extension 16 formed upon the sleeve portion 7 thereof. The catch being held yieldingly at the limit of its inward movement, with the reduced inner end of its stem engaged in a socket 17 formed in the adjacent end of the supporting bar, by means of an expansible coil-spring 18. This spring, which embraces the stem portion of the catch, is located within a chamber 19 formed in the extension 16, and bears at one end against the front wall of said chamber and. at the other end against a collar 20 formed upon said stem. When the transfer of the mail-bags has been accomplished, as

hereinafter described, the crane arm is swung in the reverse direction into its inoperative position and is held against displacement by the engagement of the catch end in a second socket 21 formed in the bar end, the catch being provided at its outer end with a finger-piece 22 by means of which itmay be moved outwardly against the action of the coil-spring, to permit the rotation of the bar in either direction.

As previously stated, the crane-arm is provided at its outer end with a pair of transversely-disposed conical members 11. One of these members serves as a bag-removing or catching device, and the other member as a bag-delivering device, according to the direction from which the train approaches the receiving station. The last-mentioned memberhas engaged therewith a bag-supporting member which, as illustrated in Fig. 4:, comprises a metal ring 23 and a depending snaphook 24 formed integral therewith, the snaphook being located at one side of the ring, as

shown. Through the upper portion of the shank of the hook is formed an opening in which a transversely-disposed metal sleeve 25 is fitted, the bore of the sleeve being provided with a longitudinal groove 26 which extends from end to end thereof, and is adapted to receive the corresponding finger 13. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the sleeve portion of the supporting member is fitted upon one or the other of the members 11 and the finger 13 formed thereon is received in the adjacent end of the groove 26, the supporting member as a whole will be held against rotation, and will be also held against endwise movement in one direction by the shoulder 12 with which the adjacent end of the sleeve contacts. Endwise movement of the supporting member in the opposite direction is prevented by means of a spring catch 27 with which each of the members 11 is provided, the headed outer end of the catch being arranged for engagement in a recess 28 formed in the wall of the bore of the sleeve. preferably located diametrically opposite each other.

The snap-hook which, as stated above, forms an integral part of the bag-supporting member, is adapted for engagement with a ring 29 secured to the upper end of a strap 30 whose lower end forms a noose 31 adapted for engagement with the mail-bag or bags, according as one or more are to be delivered to the receiving station, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

In order to relieve the strain upon the member 11 with which the sleeved supporting member is engaged. there is employed a platform 32 which is hinged to the bottom wall of the window 5, as indicated by the numeral 33, and rests in its operative position upon said wall, as shown, being held against accidental displacement from such position by means of an inclined brace 34 or pair of such braces, if preferred, the brace being hinged at its upper end to the under face of the platform and having its lower end beveled, so as to rest flush against the inner wall of the car side. After the transfer of the mail-bags has been effected at the receiving station, the brace is folded upwardly a ainst the under face of the platform and the latter then tilted inwards upon its hinges and folded against the car wall, in which position it occupies but little space and interferes in no way with the movements of the postal clerk within the car. I

The mechanism complementary to that above described, or in other words, the mech anism located at the receiving station, consists primarily of a pair of upright posts 35 and 36 mounted upon an elevated platform 37 located adjacent the track rails. Each of said posts is provided with a crane-arm 38, one arm serving as a catcher and the other arm as a support or deliverer for the mail bags according to the direction in which the approaching train is traveling. The forward portion of each arm 38 is bent first laterally, then upwardly, and then laterally, the last mentioned portion, which is indicated by the numeral 39, being pointed or conical and having secured thereto a headed spring catch 40 which is similar to the catch 27 above described and is provided for the same pur ose. The last-mentioned bent portions of the arms 38 extend in opposite directions, as shown in Fig. 1, said arms having a length sufiicient to dispose such portions in close proximity to the members 11 of the car-carried arm 3 during the passage of the train past the station.

The finger 13 and the catch 27 are The post to whose arm the mail is delivered from the train (in the present instance, the post 36) is provided with a V-shaped shield 41 against one arm or the other of which the mail-bag suspended from the snap-hook is adapted to strike the bag being for this rea son preventedfrom swinging around the post, as will beapparent.

The supporting member carried in this in stance, by the arm 38 of the other post, has its hook portion engaged directly with the strap 42 which surrounds the central portion of the bag to be delivered to the train.

The complete operation of the invention may be described, as follows. As the train approaches the receiving station the mail bag to be delivered is encircled by the loop portion of the strap 30 which latter isattached to the snap-hook 24 which forms one element of the bag sugporting member.

Said member is then fitte upon the proper member 11 and the crane-arm then swung outwardly and upwardly into its operative position, being held against displacement by the engagement of the inner end of the stem portion of the catch 15 in the socket 17, the bag having previously been positioned upon the platform 32 which, in the mean time, has been moved into the position shown in Fig. 2. In like manner, the postal clerk at the receiving station attaches the mail-bag to be delivered to the train to the supporting member which is subsequently fitted upon the pointed end of the proper arm 38. As the train passesthe station, the other member 11 of the car arm will pass through the ring 23 of the supporting member carried by one post arm and will remove therefrom said member, and with it the mail-bag, while the other post arm will, in like manner, pass through the ring 23 of the first-mentioned supporting member and remove the latter from the member 11.

The rings 23 in actual practice have a diameter of about ten inches, which is slightly more than half the distance from the point of one member 11 to that of the other member, as shown in Fig. 3. By reason of this fact, it will be apparent that during the removal of the ring by the member 11, said ring will first strike at one end against the body portion of the car arm 3, and will then swing around upon said end as a pivot, completely clearing the end of the other member, as illustrated in dotted lines in said figure, the force with which the ring strikes the car arm effecting the removal from the post arm of the sleeve with which said ring is connected, as well as the above-described swinging movement of the ring, at the termination of which movement the ring is free to travel along the arm 3 until the seat 14 is reached, into which seat it falls.

While the foregoing description is specific to the transfer of a single mail-bag from the supporting device is attached to either of the members 11 of the crane-arm, or to the bent portion 39 of either post arm, said device is completely held both against rotation and against endwise movement in either direction, thus preventing any accidental displacement of the device as a whole.

What is claimed is:

1. A crane arm provided intermediate its ends with a downwardly-extending bag-receiving seat, and a transverselydisposed member located at the outer end of said arm and comprising a bag-removing portion and a bag-delivering portion.

2. A crane arm provided intermediate its ends with a bag-receiving seat, and a member located at the outer end of said arm and having its opposite ends pointed, one end of said member forming a ag-removing arm, and the other end thereof a bag-delivering arm.

3. A crane-arm bent upon itselfintermediate its ends to form a downwardly-extencL ing bag-receiving seat, and provided at its outer end with a transversely-disposed member comprising a bag-removing portion and a bag-delivering portion.

4. The combination, with a pair of supporting brackets arranged for attachment to the opposite side walls of a car window, of a rotatable bar having its ends engaged with said brackets; a crane-arm secured at its inner end to said bar and provided at its outer end with a transversely-disposed member comprising a bag-removing portion and a bag-delivering portion; means for swinging said arm into and out of operative position; anda sliding catch carried by one of said brackets and adapted for engagement with the adjacent end of said bar, for retaining said arm in either position.

5. The combination, with a pair of supporting brackets arranged for attachment to the opposite side walls of a car window, of a rotatable bar having its ends engaged with said brackets; a crane-arm secured at its inner end to said bar and provided at its outer end with a transversely-disposed member comprising a bag-removing portion and a bag-delivering portion, said arm having a downwardly-extending bag-receiving seat formed therein intermediate its ends; means for swinging said arm into and out of operative position; and a sliding catch carried by one of said brackets and adapted for engagement with the adjacent end of said bar, for retaining said arm in either position.

6. The combination, with a pair of supporting brackets arranged for attachment to the opposite side walls of a car window, each bracket being provided with a bearing sleeve, of a rotatable bar having its ends fitted in said sleeves, one end of said bar being provided with a pair of sockets; a crane arm secured at its inner end to said bar; a bagengaging member located at the outer end of said arm; means for swinging said arm into and out of operative position; a sliding catch carried by the bracket with which the socketed end of said bar is engaged, said catch including a stem portion having its free end normally engaged in one or the other of said sockets, to retain said arm in either position.

7. The combination, with a pair of supporting brackets arranged for attachment to the opposite side walls of a car window, each bracket being provided with a bearing sleeve, of a rotatable bar having its ends fitted in said sleeves, one end of said bar being provided with a pair of sockets; a crane arm secured at its inner end to said bar; a bag-engaging member located at the outer end of said arm; means for swinging said arm into and out of operative position; an endwise movable catch carried by the bracket with which the socketed end of said. bar is engaged; means for normally holding said catch at the limit of its inward movement, with its inner end engaged in one or the other of said sockets, to retain said arm in either position; and means for moving said catch outwardly, against the action of the last mentioned means.

'8. The combination, with a crane arm, and a bag-supporting member carried thereby, of a tiltable platform located beneath said arm, upon which platform the bag supported by said member is adapted to rest.

9. The combination, with a car having an opening formed in one side thereof, and a horizontal supporting bar disposed in said. opening, of a crane rod secured at its inner end to said bar and provided at its outer end with a bag-supporting member; and a platform hinged to the bottom wall of said 0 ening beneath said arm upon which plat orm the bag supported by said member is adapted to rest.

10. The combination, with a car having an opening formed in one side thereof, of a hori zontal bar journaled at opposite ends in the side walls of said opening; a crane arm secured at its inner end to said bar and movable in a vertical plane into and out of operative position; a bag-supporting member carried by said arm at its outer end; means for operating said arm; and a platform hinged to the bottom wall of said opening beneath said arm upon which platform the bag supported by said member is adapted to rest.

11. The combination, with a car having a window formed in one side thereof, of a horizontal bar journaled at opposite ends in the side walls of the window; a crane arm secured at its inner end to said bar and movable into and out of operative position; a bagsupporting member carried by said arm at its outer end; and a platform hinged to the bot tom wall of the window upon which platform the bag supported by said member is adapted to rest, said platform being arranged for movement through the window into position against the inner wall of the car, when said arm is in its inoperative position.

12. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a bag delivering member, of a sleeved bag-supporting member fitted upon the free end of said delivering member; and means carried by the sleeve portion of said delivering member and arranged for engagement with said supporting member for hold-' ing the latter against displacement.

13. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a bag-delivering member terminating in a pointed end, of a sleeved bagsupporting member fitted upon said ointed end; and means carried by said de ivering member and arranged for engagement with the sleeve portion of said sup orting member to hold the latter against disp acement.

14. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a bag-delivering member terminating in a pointed end, of a sleeved bagsupporting member fitted upon said pointed end; and a spring catch carried by said delivering member and arranged for engagement with the sleeve ortion of said sup porting member, to ho d the latter against displacement.

15. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a bag-delivering member, of a sleeved bag-supporting member fitted upon said delivering member; and means carried by said delivering member and arranged for engagement with the inner surface of the sleeve portion of said supporting member, for holding the latter against displacement.

16. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a bag-delivering member, of a sleeved bag-supporting member fitted upon said delivering member; and yielding means carried by said delivering member and arranged for engagement with the inner surface of the sleeve portion of said supporting member, for holding the latter against displacement.

17. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a bag-delivering member, of a sleeved bag-supporting member fitted upon said delivering member; a spring catch carried by said delivering member and arranged for engagement with the inner surface of the sleeve portion of said supporting member, for holding the latter against displacement.

18. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a transversely-disposed bagdelivering member having a finger formed thereon, of a bag-supporting member including a sleeve fitted upon said delivering member and provided with a seat arranged to receive said finger, to hold said sleeve against rotation.

19. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a transversely-disposed bagdelivering member having a finger formed thereon, of a bag-supporting member including a sleeve fitted upon said delivering member, said sleeve having a seat formed in its inner surface and arranged to receive said finger, to hold said sleeve against rotation.

20. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a transversely-disposed bagdelivering member having a finger formed thereon, of a bag-supporting member including a sleeve fitted upon said delivering mem her, said sleeve having a longitudinal groove formed in its inner surface and arranged to receive said finger, to hold said sleeve against rotation.

21. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a transversely-disposed pointed bag-delivering member having a finger formed thereon, of a bag-supporting member including a sleeve fitted upon said'delivering member, said sleeve having a seat formed in its inner surface and arranged to receive said finger, to hold said sleeve against rotation.

22. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a transversely-disposed bagdelivering member having a finger formed thereon, of a bag-supporting member including a sleeve fitted upon said delivering member, said sleeve having a seat formed in its inner surface and arranged to receive sa1d finger to hold sald sleeve against rotation; and

separate means carried by said delivering member and arranged for engagement with the inner surface of said sleeve, to hold the latter against outward movement.

23. The combination, with a crane-arm provided with a transversely-disposed bagdelivering member having a finger formed thereon, of a bag-supporting member including a sleeve fitted upon said delivering member, said sleeve having a seat formed in its inner surface and arranged to receive said finger to hold said sleeve against rotation; and a spring catch carried by said delivering member and arranged for engagement with the inner surface of said sleeve, to hold the latter against outward movement.

24. The combination, with a crane-arm provided at its outer end with a pair of diametrically opposite laterally projecting members, each provided with a finger, of a reversible bag-supporting member including a sleeve adapted to be fitted upon either of the first-mentioned members, said sleeve having a seat formed in its inner surface at each end thereof and arranged to receive the adjacent finger, to hold the sleeve against rotation.

25. A crane-arm provided at its outer end with a transversely-disposed member having its opposite ends pointed, one end of said member forming a bag-removing arm and the other end thereof a bag-delivering arm, and a spring catch secured .to the under surface of each of said pointed ends.

26. A crane-arm provided at its outer end with a transversely-disposed member comprising a bag-removing portion and a bag-delivering portion, and a spring catch secured to the under surface of said member at each end thereof. 7

27. A crane-arm provided intermediate its ends with a bag-receiving seat and at its outer end with a transversely-disposed member comprising a bag-removing portion and a bag-delivering portion, and a spring catch secured to the under surface of said member at each end thereof.

28. A crane-arm provided at its outer end with a laterally-projecting pointed member having a finger formed thereon, and a spring catch'secured to said member, and located JOHN C. DAYTON.

Witnesses:

B. E. CooKsEY, F. C. MoCARTENEY. 

